Each year, from May to October, Hilton Head Island’s beaches welcome nesting sea turtles.
Produced by Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
At night, guided by the light reflecting off the water, these 300-pound mamas, protected by the federal government, make their way out of the ocean to the dunes. Each digs her nest, lays about 120 eggs, and then returns to the sea. About two months later, the hatchlings emerge, guided by the moon, to make their journey to the ocean.
Turtle Trackers was formed in 2016 to:
Help protect these endangered sea turtles, their nests, eggs, and hatchlings throughout sea turtle season.
Turtle Trackers “put the beach to bed” every evening during turtle season. Our activities include flattening and cleaning Hilton Head’s 14 miles of beach and educating visitors and residents about sea turtle protection while they enjoy the natural phenomena they are privileged to witness.
Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island is a separate nonprofit organization that holds the permit issued by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for sea turtle protection activities on Hilton Head Island.
Be a Turtle Tracker.
Be a Turtle Backer.
Be a Turtle Tracker. Be a Turtle Backer.
We invite you to join us. Keep the beaches flat, clean, and dark. Attend a “Turtle Talk,” visit a Learning Station, and be sure to look for the marked nests along the beach.
Turtle Trackers of Hilton Head Island, SC, is a 501(c)(3) volunteer organization. Our mission is to support efforts to protect endangered sea turtles nesting on Hilton Head Island and to educate the public about how to safeguard our sea turtle hatchlings as they head to the ocean.
The donations we receive fund sea turtle preservation efforts and programs that allow Turtle Trackers to carry out their mission.
Upcoming events
Have a look at some of the great events we have planned. Consider Volunteering or joining us.
Volunteer!
People Are Our Resource.
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![Two women on a beach holding cleaning tools and bags for trash with ocean in background.]()
Beach Ambassadors
Spend time at the beach!
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![Person on beach wearing 'Turtle Trackers' shirt and hat, holding a bag.]()
Beach Sweeps
Help keep our beaches clean.
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![Three women standing behind a table at a Sea Turtle Learning Station. They are wearing shirts with turtle graphics and standing under a banner. The table displays educational materials and a jar for donations or guesses about turtle conservation.]()
Learning Stations
Visit a learning station at several locations.
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![Group of young children sitting on a colorful rug attending a sea turtle educational session led by two older women. One woman is reading a book, while the other stands beside a large sea turtle model. Educational materials, posters, and jars are displayed on a table covered with a sea-themed cloth.]()
Education Programs
Take our learning stations to the classroom
